When a tragedy happens, people have the tendency to point fingers. The death of the miners in a West Virginia coal mine has reminded us again of the dangerous work of these brave men and women who risk their lives to earn a living and take care of their families.

Each victim has a history. Some of the victims did not have a choice but to take the only job available in their town. Some were following a family tradition. For sure they knew the danger of their job and relied on God for protection.

Most of time the mine owners were champions of safety and environmental violations. If these people had options to choose a job other than being a miner, many would have changed their job. It is sad! As the Kikuyu of Kenya say, “When a lion cannot find flesh to feed on, it has no choice but to eat the grass.”